Dog and rabbit like each other?!

[mschoonover11]

As I’m typing this, I’m laughing hysterically because it’s so cute and hilarious! 

So yes, Toby and my dog LOVE each other! Btw, other than Toby, I have a 4 year old, female malti-poo named Lilly. Ever since we first got Lilly, she’s always acted like a rabbit. Sometimes, instead of walking, she’d hop. When we play fetch with her, instead of chasing her toy, she hops to the toy. Then there was this wild rabbit in our back yard, and Lilly became friends with it. They would chase each other and the same rabbit would always come to our yard looking for Lilly. Then we got Toby (a Holland Lop bunny). Oh my gosh, they go crazy for each other! Every morning, Toby and Lilly hop to each other to say good morning. They even share a water bowl! Is it ok that a rabbit and a dog share a water dish?

Toby is mostly free-roamed during the day, so they run and chase each other. Sometimes, I get a little concerned cause they get  too roudy, and I often wonder if Toby really enjoys her company. He’ll mostly play with Lilly, but I often see him hiding under the bed when she’s around like he’s hiding from her. Today, Toby was free roaming in my room with me, and the Lilly walked in. He took a big jump and charged at her. When I say charged, I mean he literally jumped right at her. Lilly started playing like she usually does, and then Toby made a weird snorting sound. At first I thought it was Lilly, but I then saw that it was Toby! I didn’t know that such a noise would come from a tiny lil bunny! I couldn’t tell if he was mad, or just playing. He then flopped next to her, and with rabbits, that means they’re comfortable. After that, Lilly went and laid next to him, and he cuddled with her. I was planning on bonding him with another bun, but now with the Lilly situation, I’m not quite sure. 

Can u guys tell me if this dog/rabbit behavior is normal? I also wanna know what that snorting/grunting sound from Toby was. Should I still bond him with another bun? And lastly, is it ok if they share a water dish? Lilly has her own and Toby has his own, but they just like to share the same one lol

[mschoonover11]

I also might share some pics of the two of them later. {That’s if I can find out how to lol.}

[BB8]

It sounds a bit aggressive that your bun charged at your pup. They only interactions my bunnies have with my mom’s dog is booping their noses together and flopping next to him. All the dog does is wag at them and try to steal their food haha.
I would be careful with your dog getting too rough while she plays, as bunnies are fragile.

[GarfyTheLop]

To me it sounds all positive, the charging doesn’t sound great but then I don’t think he would flop next to the dog if he was scared?!

There are quite a few users on here who have dog/bunny friendships I wouldn’t ever leave them alone together though

[Bam]

My bun likes my dog, my dog is completely indifferent to my bun. I can’t stop them from sharing a water bowl. It’s not really sharing. Dog drinks up Bam’s water. That’s why Bam has 5 water bowls around the apt and my dog has 3. For some reason bunny water is more delicious than dog water.

[mschoonover11]

Thx for the replies

Lilly is a very sweet puppy (she’s small) ad has never harmed Toby. Whenever they’re together, it’s always under my supervision. if she starts getting too rowdy with him , I’ll say “Lily no!” and she’ll stop. But my confusion was when he charged at her, and then flopped next to her later in the day. With that said, I still can’t tell if he’s scared, angry, or just having fun. I will keep on eye on his behavior towards her, and I will let you know what I see. Hopefully I see only positive things haha!

@bam, lol Toby also has several water bowls, and Lilly does too, but she doesn’t seem to like her water. Only Toby’s!
So yes, I’m sure bunny water must taste better!

[Manda]

It sounds to me that Toby was just trying to make sure Lilly knew who was “top dog” but definitely sounds like they have their friendship. My doodle LOVES his buns and he licks their ears. When I fist got Mr Buns he was TERRIFIED of Charlie but Charlie was friends with Cinni our holland lop and picked up quickly this was nothing to worry about and now he doesnt even bother to get up when Charlie walks over him to investigate things. Peace and harmony for the win!

[LittlePuffyTail]

That’s adorable. The toy breed dogs seem to have low prey drives and can often be good buds with a bunny. I used to have a Shih-Tzu and she absolutely adored my guinea pigs and rabbit. Wish I had pics of them together, now that they’ve all passed on.

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